Dell Connectrix MDS-9718
The Dell Connectrix MDS-9718 is a massive 26U 18-slot director based on the Cisco MDS 9718 platform, designed as the ultimate SAN backbone for hyperscale enterprise datacenters and service providers. Scaling up to 768 line-rate Fibre Channel ports across 16 line card slots and delivering nearly 50 Tbps of aggregate bandwidth, the MDS-9718 guarantees uncompromising scalability and non-stop operational resilience.
Also written as: Connectrix MDS-9718, Dell MDS-9718, Cisco MDS 9718 Flagship 18-Slot Director
Specifications
| Brand | Dell |
|---|---|
| Family | Connectrix |
| Form factor | 26U director chassis |
| Released | Apr 2016 |
| Slot count | 18 slots (16 switching module slots + 2 Supervisor module slots) in a 26U chassis |
| Port count | Up to 768 Fibre Channel ports (supporting 16Gb, 32Gb, and 64Gb switching modules) |
| Switching bandwidth | Up to 49.152 Tbps aggregate front-panel bandwidth |
| Operating system | Cisco NX-OS Software for MDS 9000 Director Series |
| Power supply | Up to 16 redundant hot-plug power supplies with multiple high-volume fan trays |
Compatible parts
HBAs
540-BBUU Dell Emulex LPe31002 Dual Port 16Gb Fibre Channel Host Bus Adapter
540-BBUV Dell QLogic 2692 Dual Port 16Gb Fibre Channel Host Bus Adapter
Transceivers
407-BCBI Dell 32Gb Short Wave SFP28 Fibre Channel Optical Transceiver
407-BCBF Dell 25GbE SFP28 SR Optical Transceiver (850nm, 100m MMF)
Rail kits
770-BCKW Dell ReadyRails II Sliding Rails for 2U PowerEdge Servers (B6)
Works together
How the Dell Connectrix MDS-9718 connects to servers, storage and the network: 1 way, with the parts and products on each path.
Fibre Channel SAN
Match the speed: 16Gb and 32Gb FC HBAs, switches and array ports work together, and each generation also runs one or two speeds below its own (a 32Gb port runs at 16Gb and 8Gb).
Servers
Dell PowerEdge R830 2U rack
Dell PowerEdge C4130 1U rack
Dell PowerEdge C4140 1U rack
Dell PowerEdge R230 1U rack
Dell PowerEdge R330 1U rack
Dell PowerEdge R440 1U rack
Adapters for the server
- 540-BBUU Dell Emulex LPe31002 Dual Port 16Gb Fibre Channel Host Bus Adapter
- 540-BBUV Dell QLogic 2692 Dual Port 16Gb Fibre Channel Host Bus Adapter
540-BCMS Dell QLogic 2770 Single Port 32Gb Fibre Channel PCIe Adapter
540-BCMT Dell QLogic 2772 Dual Port 32Gb Fibre Channel PCIe Adapter
Storage
Dell PowerProtect DD Data Domain DD6300 2U appliance
Dell PowerProtect DD Data Domain DD6800 2U controller + shelves
Dell PowerProtect DD Data Domain DD9300 2U controller + shelves
Dell PowerProtect DD Data Domain DD9800 2U controller + shelves
Dell Unity 300 2U rack
Dell Unity 300F 2U rack
Optics
Plan and size it
- Draw this setup in the topology planner mrplanb.com
- Add up rack power and space rack-density.com
- Virtualization storage Ledger: scored storage platforms mrplanb.com
- SAN transport and NVMe over FC for backup mrplanb.com
- Dell E-Lab Navigator (Dell interoperability) dell.com
Check compatibility with Dell
Before you buy, confirm the exact configuration against the vendor's own lists: firmware levels, operating systems, adapters and optics that Dell has tested with the Dell Connectrix MDS-9718.
- Compatibility Dell E-Lab Navigator (storage and SAN interoperability) (free vendor sign-in)
- Support Dell Support: drivers, manuals and service tag lookup
Equivalent models from other brands
Buying a used Connectrix MDS-9718: what to check
Inspect heavy chassis rails and power distribution units, verify redundant Supervisor-4 boards, test rear crossbar switching modules, confirm licensed line cards, and test multi-phase AC power feeds.
FAQ
What is the physical size and weight of the MDS-9718?
The MDS-9718 occupies 26U of rack space and weighs up to 690 lbs (313 kg) when fully populated with line cards and power supplies.
Does the MDS-9718 support NVMe over Fibre Channel at scale?
Yes, native line-rate NVMe/FC switching is supported across all 768 ports simultaneously.
Buying or selling Connectrix MDS-9718?
New, refurbished or used. Tell us the quantity and condition and we connect you with a vetted reseller in your region, usually within one working day.
Sources
- Dell Connectrix Director Spec Sheet, checked 2026-10-27